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Sawajiri Erika passed the Stardust audition in 1999 after graduating from elementary school. The following year she became part of the idol unit “ANGEL EYES ” and began modelling for junior fashion magazines like CUTiE and nicola. In 2001 she won the Grand Prize for that year’s Seikore and became a regular on the BS news program Harajuku Launchers.

In 2002 Erika began taking on more tasks as an actress and gravure idol. She was one of Fuji TV’s Visual Queens for the year (along with Ichikawa Yui, Karina, and Yarita Ayano), and also had a part in the film Mondai no nai Watashitachi. She became a regular of the NTV music variety show THE YORU mo Hit Parade from April to late June, and shortly before leaving the program was on the CX News program Chou VIP Fortune no Tobira from mid-June to late August. In November she was on the CBC variety show Bijou Dokyuu and also on the TBS show B-1.

Erika continued her work into 2003, this time getting roles in PVs. She also began acting in various dramas, including a small role in the popular drama HOTMAN . In 2004 Erika continued to act in dramas, but it can be said she earned the most attention in 2005 for her portrayal of Ikeuchi Aya in the drama 1 Litre no Namida, a young girl with a degenerating brain disease that affects one’s motor skills. It was also in 2005 that she starred in the film PACCHIGI !.

2006 has proved to be yet another busy year for Erika, as she starred in two films and is currently starring in the drama adaptation of Taiyou no Uta.

SHE looks oh-so-lovable, but Erika Sawajiri is actually the most hated female celebrity in Japan now.

Rising to fame two years ago in the romantic TV serial One Liter Of Tears, the 21-year-old actress-turned-singer is known for playing sweet, demure roles.

In the film Sugar And Spice, which opens here on 8 Nov, she plays the sweet-faced dream girl of a 17-year-old boy (Yuya Yagira) on the brink of adulthood.

But Erika, who has exotic Japanese/French-Algerian looks, turns out to be more of a chilli padi in real life. Maybe fame inflated her ego - she was often accused by the media of arrogance and prima donna behaviour in the past year.

Readers of Bubka magazine even voted her the Most Hated Female Star In 2007.

Now, she has finally paid a teary price for her bad attitude.

While promoting her new romantic film Closed Note in Tokyo two weeks ago, Erika incensed the audience by sulking on stage, crossing her arms and giving disinterested, one-word replies to the emcee's questions.

The result? Media reports lashed out at her lack of professionalism, while fellow artistes like veteran singer Akiko Wada blasted her attitude.

Angry detractors flooded the movie's website to post complaints about Erika. Advertisers' confidence was reportedly shaken, and there was talk of her company banishing her to cold storage as punishment.

The public outrage was so strong - some even threatened to boycott the movie - that Erika had to step out to make a 'shame-faced apology' for her 'petulant display', reported Mainichi Daily News.

She first posted an apology on her official website, and then appeared on TV to say sorry in person. On the TV programme Super Morning, she said she was feeling moody due to 'personal reasons', but did not elaborate.

When asked what she would like to say to her supporters, she burst into tears after a long silence.

'My behaviour spoilt everything and created trouble for the crew. It's all because I'm not mature enough, and I'm sorry that I was not able to live up to people's expectations of me and I let them down,' she said.

Still, some quarters are not convinced that Erika is truly repentant. Her tears sparked another huge debate online, with detractors saying that it was an act to win sympathy votes.

It may take some time to soothe the hostility against Erika, and she has wisely shunned the limelight since. Maybe the saga is a good wake-up call to shake some sense into the actress.

PROMISING

Despite being touted as one of the most promising new generation stars alongside Masami Nagasawa, Erika has been getting attention for the wrong reasons this year.

Increasing, she is becoming known as a wild babe who doesn't care about what others think - deemed a no-no in Japan's conformist society.

It gels with her musical image as a rocker.

Erika was voted 'the artiste who seems to have the worst personality' in an online poll this year.

Apparently, she once got so drunk that she exposed part of her breasts on the dance floor.

Flash magazine caught her breaking traffic rules in May, driving her BMW without the compulsory probationary plate. She got her driver's licence only early this year.

Last month, tabloids published steamy photos of her kissing her 43-year-old boyfriend in his Porsche. Despite all the negative news about her, Erika seemed to remain cheerful.

Until the sulky saga, that is. She said in a magazine interview earlier this year that she often reads all the gossip reports about herself online. But they don't bother her.

'There are some misunderstood parts, but I don't think they are 100 per cent untrue. People write such bad things about me, and I'd be thinking, 'I have this side too?'

Hopefully, her optimism will help her survive her latest bout of bad press too.

Even though that she had attitude problem and I kind of disappointed coz she got a way different personality than aya, I can’t stop loving her...she is the most cute Japanese actress with unique face I ever see...love her and all her movie and drama!!!tooo kawaii to handle ohhh!!!

erika was beautiful,...i love her so much..no one can me me cry, except for that movie,i liter of tears,....it helps me allot in my problems…so thank you erika ,,GOD bless you..why people of japan hate erika,,,erika is on top 4 most hated women actress of japan…erika don’t mind them ,,,they jealous of you….continue your good things,,we will support you.
may you be happy of your life…
i hope we will see together^^,
thank you!

Saw her on "One Liter of Tears" and, despite of her behavior and all that, she is one hell of an actress. My friend, at one point, even said that her performance was so good in 1LOT, she deserved some sort of an Oscar. Hehe... :D